Commission’s misguided recommendations on school safety undermine civil rights and dishonor the victims of violence, NEA president says

December 18, 2018

From the National Education Association

Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos created the Federal Commission on School Safety that was supposed to address gun violence in our schools and recommend actions schools should take to keep our students safe. Instead, their commission announced Tuesday that it recommends stripping students’ of civil rights protections, which seek to prevent racial disparities in student discipline. Although the report does not endorse the DeVos idea that teachers should be forced to carry firearms in school, it does recommend pressuring educators to possess dangerous firearms in our schools.

The following statement can be attributed to NEA President Lily Eskelsen García:

“Instead of the Federal Commission on School Safety taking its charge seriously — addressing gun laws in this country and putting supports in place for students after the horrors of Parkland, Marshall County, Santa Fe and the countless other school shootings that have occurred this year — Betsy DeVos and the commission are doing the exact opposite. The recommendations do little to make students safer in our nation’s public schools. They are dishonoring the memory of the students and educators who have lost their lives.

“More to the point, today’s announcement is further proof that we cannot count on Betsy DeVos to protect students’ civil rights. Her decision to rescind critical federal guidance meant to address racial disparities in school discipline undermines the safety and dignity of students and educators in our public schools.

“Schools should continue to advance responsible and fair discipline policies and practices because they are best for students, the learning environment and meet legal obligations to address discrimination. Educators, schools and school districts must continue to enforce anti-discrimination laws. Period.

“Betsy DeVos’ U.S. Department of Education is using the commission to pursue her agenda to dismantle students’ civil rights protections — an agenda that affects our most vulnerable students the hardest. We do not need the appearance of safety; we need real solutions that create safe schools and address the underlying root of school violence. We need strategies to create positive, supportive learning environments and prevention efforts that end the hardening and over-policing of our public schools.

“The commission’s recommendations were decided in a vacuum without any real input from the real education experts — America’s teachers and school personnel working in public schools. We do not need more guns in schools. Students deserve real solutions that will keep them safe — that is what our students have asked of us. It is shameful that the Trump Administration is using the real risk of gun violence in our schools to strip vulnerable students of their civil rights, while doing nothing to keep all our students safe.”

Read more:

A federal commission led by Education Secretary Betsy DeVos recommends rescinding Obama-era guidance intended to reduce racial discrimination in school discipline. And, DeVos says, it urges schools to “seriously consider partnering with local law enforcement in the training and arming of school personnel.”

A message from President Bell

My name is Debra Bell and I am the president of WEAC Region 1. I am very excited to be leading our region again this year. I have taught for 34 years at Boyceville Community School District. I have been secretary, vice president, head negotiator, president and have served on the executive board for both the region and the state. There are many exciting things happening in our union, in our locals, in our region, and in our state! I would like to encourage each member to get involved and commit to doing at least one thing or more this year. It can be as simple as going to WEAC.org and taking time to look at what is happening. Or try to attend a meeting, read our newsletters, and "like" our facebook site. I chose to step up because I'm confident that you will too!

Our executive board, our Region 1 staff directors, and our secretary work hard to meet all of our needs. They have stepped up to take leadership roles in our region! It would be wonderful if all of you also made a commitment to get involved, too. Join the conversation. Help us help each other! We really love what we do, and the more people who come to meetings, attend events, and read our Facebook site, the the more unified we are and the stronger we become!

In Solidarity,
Debra H. Bell
Region 1 President

WEAC News

Constant communication and outreach are the keys to keeping the Beaver Dam Education Association strong, BDEA leaders told WEAC Vice President Peggy Wirtz-Olsen in her latest Spotlight on Locals column. “We work to educate our members on how to be an active member and how to get involved on the district level,” said Past President Kris Schumacher, a middle school art teacher.

WEAC is a co-sponsor of Every Teacher a Leader training June 25-26 in Madison. Teacher leaders are the heart of successful schools. Every Teacher a Leader promotes, supports, and grows teacher leadership and voice. Develop your ideas and meet others who can support you along the way. Register by March 29!